May 19-June, 2 Weeks on 'VISTA', daily review

We will be on the Vista’s July 14 sailing. I am enjoying your review. If you could possibly post main dinning room menus I would be so thankful.

 

 

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Carol, I'm sorry to say that I don't know how to do that, my skills on this technology of computers/tablets is rather limited to my trying to spell most of my words correctly.:confused:

I will say the food in our 2 meals so far in the MDR have been really good, and we'll continue to update the next 2 weeks about the quality and some of the selections, hope that helps.

I'm glad to hear that the show was good. I've missed that the last few years with Carnival. What was the name of the show you saw tonight?

 

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'Studio VIP'

What Carnival 'fun times' said,,,,

Inspired by the sophistication of Studio 54, and the funky fusion of Soul Train, our Playlist cast celebrates the stunning revolution NYC's nightlife in the 70's.

A quick comment before we leave for breakfast, the extra pay restaurants are not all doing well, meaning JiJi's and Cucina which are right next to each other were almost empty last night. Maybe because it was Lobster night, I don't know, but I think the new menu in Cucina, and the changes they've made in bread, desert offerings are a dud.

Sometimes it's best to leave things alone that work, such as the old sandwich press, etc..

We walked by Bonsai Sushi twice, and still haven't seen one person eating in there, and yes they were open.

There was awaiting line to make reservations at the steak house so it's still popular.

We decided to try the buffet breakfast this morning, as we are docked at Grand Turk.

Our balcony on the starboard side is facing away from the island, so the buffet will give us a good view. So we thought,,,,,,

When we sit down to eat on the port side towards the island, all we can see is the Carnival Conquest.

So not only is our back on board early, 1:30pm, but the beach/pool areas will be packed with 2 large ships! -((

Since we were just at Grand Turk 3 weeks ago, we decide quickly that today might be better if we go to see what that aft pool area looks like in an hour or two.

A quick comment about buffet seating, the booths are gone in Vista's buffet, replaced by tables with chairs.

I think think is a great improvement!

I hated to stand up from those abnormally low booth seats.

My knees were above my butt when seated, so for these old bones, standing is a lot more difficult in those booths, then standing up from a regular sized chair.

Gotta think this will add miles to my legs over a 2 week cruise! -))

Now the bad,,, they put the sugar/creamers in a corner at the coffee stations! So one person fixing their coffee holds up everyone else! This ship has too many people on it for that, wake up Carnival! -))

We are on the 6 day in July thanks for all the great information! Relax! Tell me about the casino too!!

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Enjoying your review. Boarding the Visita June 16. Thank you for being so detailed.

After spending about an hour and a half on deck 11 overlooking the rear pool, we decide to take a short walk to jiji's for lunch, there's no charge, so let's give it a try.

After sitting down at a table, the restaurant that was empty last night for $15.pp, is full for free.!-))

They hand each person a list and a little pencil, the type you'd get at mini golf, to check off first,,,,

Fried wontons or Asian spring salad. Yes you can order both, I did.-))

Then your bowl of meat, noodles, Veggies, and sauce.

Meats= chicken, beef, pork, calamari,mussels and clams.

Noodles= Lo mean, cellophane, rice noodle.

Veggies= onion, carrot, mushrooms, Bok choy, Chinese cabbage, corn, peas, green beans, zucchini, green and red peppers, cauliflower, bamboo shoots, snow peas, broccoli.

Sauce= szechuan, Thai BBQ, black bean, soy.

You sign your name, add your table number, and in 10 minutes you're eating!-))

We like it, will go again, but mine was beef, with lo mean, szechuan sauce, and assorted veggies was better then my wife's, so she took mine before I finished,,,, no problem,,,, desert in the buffet has those 6 inch high cakes! -))

So down the stairs to the buffet we go, and the longest line isn't guy's or the sandwich shop, or the buffet, it's the '6 inch high cake' line!-))

Don't screw this up Carnival, you got a winner here! -))

Afterwards we head back to the cabin to shower, take a nap, this is vacation after all, before the show and dinner tonight.

Tonight's show is Amor Cubano 7:30/9:30pm

Other things going on tonight,,,

Electric White Night 10:15-11:15pm atrium lobby,

Limelight lounge afterwards til late.

IMAX theatre

Under the Sea 3:00pm

Deadpool 2 4:00/8:30pm

Rampage 6:00pm

Thrill Theater

Destination adventure 3:30/4:30pm

Cartoon classics 5:00/5:30pm

Just the rides 6:45/7:15pm

Dare to be scared 8:00/9:00/9:30/10:00pm

Dine in movies

Star Wars:The Last Jedi 7:00pm

Black Panther 10:00pm

Comedy Limelight Lounge

5:30/6:45/8:00/9:15pm

Is it normally free at lunch?

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"After sitting down at a table, the restaurant that was empty last night for $15.pp, is full for free.!-))"

Too funny! You have to admit that those of us that choose Carnival do love a bargain! And we know how to find it too!

It does however let you try the food to get a taste before you commit to a paid dinner, which I'm sure has many more items to choose. Sort of like Cuccina del Capitano (spelling??).

We always eat at Bonsai Sushi when we are on one of the ships that has it. It's very reasonable and the food is delish.

Is it normally free at lunch?

 

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Yes, both Jiji's, and Cuchina on deck 11 aft are free for lunch. :D

What type of cabin do you have? Enjoy! What is your favorite meal so far?

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Carol, I'm sorry to say that I don't know how to do that, my skills on this technology of computers/tablets is rather limited to my trying to spell most of my words correctly.:confused:

 

I will say the food in our 2 meals so far in the MDR have been really good, and we'll continue to update the next 2 weeks about the quality and some of the selections, hope that helps.

No worries!! I completely understand. I am very much enjoying your review and I like your writing style. Just let me know if they offer the Baked Alaska in the MDR during your cruise and IF you have it, your impression. I’m so excited to hear it is back.

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What type of cabin do you have? Enjoy! What is your favorite meal so far?

 

 

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We are in a balcony on deck 6 starboard directly above the Havana balcony cabins.

I ask a couple of them yesterday who were talking below us if they liked them, they said yes, but because the balcony is so big, their cabins were a little smaller.

We showed up at 7:15 for the 7:30 show of Amor Cubano, and the showroom was already getting full. By show time it was standing room only.

We were lucky to see the group from Cuba who Carnival brought in last year on the Paradise! They were great, didn't understand them as all their music was in Spanish, but it was a great show.

Tonight's show was a close second! The 12 performers along with a 'live 7 piece band', filled the stage with an entertaining performance of singing, and dancing! My favorite song of course was Fire Ball. If you don't know what I'm talking about, YouTube 'amor cubano fire ball'.

Another thing that Vista has is a much better visual computer background then other Carnival ships. During one song tonight, the background was like you were driving through the streets of Havana at night. Really entertaining!

After the show, we headed off to 'any time dining', which I will remind again, is different on Vista.

You have to go first to an area right next to the Java cafe on deck 5, mid deck, to get a table assignment, then you walk to the aft restaurant for your meal.

We asked for Orlin, our waiter from our b2b Jan. Conquest cruise, and he was happy to see us.

My wife ordered Ox tongue and chicken pastry for apps, salmon cake for her meal, while I ordered pork spare ribs, and green beans.

For desert my wife got grilled pineapple, and I got a parfait.

The meal and Service were great!-))

Tomorrow is a long day, a Carnival beach excursion at Sanoa Island off the coast of La Romana, Dominican Republic, so we call it a night early to relax, watch some TV.

This morning we order coffee from room service to wake up, then we'll proceed to the buffet for some eggs, etc..

Scheduled guests ashore is 9:45. and our meet up with the excursion is 10:00am. Temperature today in La Romana is supposed to hit the mid 90's!

Today's entertainment,,,

Love and Marriage Show with Emma Liquid Lounge 9:30pm

(Matt returns next week from vacation)

Bingo Liquid Lounge 8:45pm

Hasbro the game show Liquid Lounge 7:30pm

Mega Deck Party Lido deck 10 10:30pm

Dine in Movies

The Greatest Showman 1pm

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 7:00pm

Comedy Limelight Lounge 5:30/6:45/8:00/9:15pm

Get there early, cause we walked by the comedy show last night, and it was packed!

Quick comment,

Emma Nixon is in her last week filling in for Matt Mitchum as cruise director, who's been on vacation.

Emma's done a good job this week, and looking forward to seeing Matt next week for the first time!-))

We let our cabin at 9:45, which was the time stated in the fun times to leave the ship, and we're surprised there was no line as we walked off.

When we arrived at our bus, 2 minutes before our 10:00am meet up time, the bus was full, waiting for us! That was a first for us, an excursion wanting to leave early!

We booked through Carnival the Sonia Island VIP excursion,,,,

my recommendation is 'DON'T TAKE THIS EXCURSION'!!!

I'm going to vent some here, so you may want to pass this part,,,

$95.pp, and it wasn't worth it!

We started with a 20-25 minute bus ride to Bahibe, where the 40 of us on the bus boarded a speed boat.

Our first stop after about 25 minutes was a sandbar they call a natural pool. There were about 15-18 other boats there as well. The water only came up to your knees, so you're standing in knee deep water for 30-40 minutes being offered rum drinks(I don't drink rum). Some never got off the boat.

Then we got back on the boat, for another 20 minute ride to Sonia Island.

Because our excursion boat arrived last to the island, no one on our boat could get a sun lounger, they were all taken by others who bought this excursion. Carnival had over booked this excursion!

So the 40 of us only could sit in these little white plastic chairs you see at kid's birthday parties. Needless to say most were very unhappy, and more then a few of us told our guide immediately, but what could he do. He did act funny, like amazed we would think a $95. VIP beach excursion 'should include beach loungers'!

Several other things noticed, the beach is mostly rocks as you past knee depth. I saw more then one woman fall and hurt herself on these rocks. There was just no way you could walk into swimming depth water, at least above your waist without passing through this rock area. We spent over an hour traveling by bus and boat, and the best they could do is bring us to a Rock Beach! -((

Another thing was they parked the approximately 18-20 boats that brought the excursions to the island in the area just past that rock area, so to swim around, you had to go between these boats!

The food was tasty, but the rice dish with chopped up lobster in it, also had chopped up lobster shell in it, so after pulling these little bits of shell out of my teeth 3-4 times, I decided not to finish it!

When we got back on the ship, I took a shower, and proceeded down to the excursion desk to complain, and attempt to get refunded.

The counter girl actually argued with me, that Carnival doesn't 'over book' their excursions, which I replied in a volume that could be heard across the atrium, 'what do you call a beach excursion without enough loungers for everyone, I call it over booking'! Shocked, she quietly said, we will get back to you tomorrow after we contact the vendor, which again I told her 'forget the vendor, it's Carnival who over booked, this is Carnival's fault'!

We'll see what happens, but this is one excursion, one port I won't be coming back to. And I will write about this on all my blog sites.

Sorry I went on about that. But it's good for my blood pressure to get it out! -))

We decide to try out the buffet tonight, we're tired from the heat, the frustration of the excursion, the long bus, and boarding rides, we just want a simple small, quiet meal,.

I end up trying 2 types of pizza, one with no cheese, one with no sauce, both were good, but likely better with sauce and cheese together!-)) I walked pass the Sea food shack with my pizza, and saw a guy there with his fish and chips, they looked really good, and I love good fish and chips, so we'll have to try out the Sea food shack during this 2 week b2b cruise.

No show tonight, we actually see some of the theater performers eating in the buffet, so we head back to our cabin after eating to play on our computers, and watch a little TV.

Tomorrow we arrive to Curacao, after noon, so we have plenty of time to get up, have breakfast, etc.

Happy cruising.

I've had the over booking happen in the Bahamas. It was a Disney cruise and a $200/pp excursion to Atlantis. It was so crowded that they had to close down the lazy river ride. We rode two rides the whole time. It was a disaster.

In this case it wasn't the cruise lines fault. There were six ships in port that day. Atlantis lied about the "limited availability". I complained when I returned to the ship and they gave me a partial refund.

It actually saved me a lot of money though. Up until that day I had planned to take a vacation to the Atlantis resort. That day changed my mind about that.

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Sorry to hear about your Saona Island excursion. I was really hoping, as I'm sure you were also, that it would be a really nice experience.

La Romana is a challenge. It seems all of the beach tours are pricey, long on travel time, and just okay at best.

We have been there twice and both times have hired a taxi driver for the day and have them take us to some local stores and maybe a cafe or restaurant that has great reviews on tripadvisor. As strange as it seems, we always visit their big supermarket, I think it's a Mega Market and buy spices and unusual food items. We also stop at the pharmacy at the Megamart to pick up a few antibiotics, which are OVC in the DR. The taxi drivers keep their cabs super clean and are true gentlemen. They have gone into the grocery with us to help with language interpretation and assisting us in any way they could. They take us to a little shop that makes cigars on site and a couple of jewelry stores where you can buy amber and larimar pieces. We only pay for the taxi, plus tip and anything we buy. It's been really interesting both times we have done this.

Hope you have a great time in Curacao and Aruba. They are both beautiful islands.

Shore plans change today,

We were going to the disappearing pool at the Renaissance Resort casino next to the port, but both my wife and I are a little under the weather, so we'll walk over later, do some shopping in their stores.

A little info on this resort, they have 2 day passes for their disappearing pool that has a sandy beach attached, 20.pp, or 40.pp with lunch. You get access to the pool, bathrooms, and of course anyone can go inside and try their luck in the casino. Google map it, it's just to the right of the pier, georgous pool set up, we'll try it out next time!

My wife's watching me too closely today, no resort casino for me! -) Maybe while she's shopping? -))

Today is overcast, warm, but very windy, 30 mph winds with 45 mph gusts!

Tomorrow's another beach day in Aruba, so we're OK with putting it off today!

Anyone interested in the Renaissance day pass, the email I used was,

Dlapas@curacaorenaissance.com

We toured the fort area next to the port which has been made into an ultra modern mini mall of stores, restaurants, cafes.

My wife said the quality of the items sold were good, but they were almost twice as expensive for the same items at Mambo Beach Blvd.

So she finished shopping early, giving me time to try out the casino! -))

I did OK, lost a little, my wife won a little, so she was happy.

We got back on the ship at around 7:00 pm, took showers, then headed off to dinner.

Tonight they had a port of call beef stew that we both got, and it was great.

It was a warm humid day today, luckily the breeze was there. Right now the TV says it's 9:45pm/86 degrees! -)) We don't leave til around 10:30pm tonight.

We're going to stay in after dinner, my wife's a little run down, and tomorrow is Aruba, 8:00am-3:30pm

Today's entertainment in the showroom is Viva Variety, a comedy and magic variety show. 8:15/10:15

In between those 2 shows is a $1000. Mystery Bingo in the show room.

Adult Game Night is in the Red Frog at 10:30pm

IMAX theater

Pandas 9:30am

Dead Pool 2 10:30am/1030pm

Rampage 8:15pm

Thrill theater

Destination Adventure 11:00/11:30am

Cartoon Classics 12:00/12:30pm

Just the Rides 8:45pm

Dare to be Scared 9:15/9:45/10:45/11:15pm

Dine in movies

Jumanji:Welcome to the Jungle 4:00pm

Wonder 7:30pm

Only the Brave 10:00pm

We head out to the fort shopping area next to the Renaissanse Resort so my wife can do some shopping. Her opinion is the area sells good quality items, but the prices are twice as expensive as the same at Mambo Beach Blvd.

So her shopping ends early, so she agrees to try out the casino at the port.

She wins, I lose a little, she's happy! -))

We head back to the ship at 7:00 pm to shower, and then head to dinner.

Tonight at dinner, they had a port of call beef stew that we both got, and it was great.

At the Renaissance I asked them in the hotel if they were OK, I was telling people here about their beach, day pass, etc. , and they said absolutely yes! -)) Too bad the Renaissance in Aruba isn't offering day passes right now, we'll work on them as we are Marriott club members who own Renaissance.

Today was a warm, humid day, luckily the breeze was blowing. Tonight after dinner in our cabin, on the TV, it says 9:45pm/86 degrees! We leave Curacao at around 10:30pm

Tomorrow is Aruba, a beach day! -))

This morning we wake up as we are docking in Aruba.

It's a beautiful sunny day, TV says 7:30am/85 degrees, gonna be a sunny warm day at the beach, guess we'll struggle through! -))

We order room service, I get a turkey sandwich, my wife has some of last night's delicious beef from her stew in a roll, plus our coffee for 2!

Today we'll leave the ship around 9:30/10:00, take a short taxi ride to 'Reflections' beach restaurant/bar on Surfside beach.

We love the taste of their meat, it has the taste of expensive beef that doesn't need seasoning to improve the taste!

Reflections has the nice Aruba beach with loungers, and a swim up bar pool!

It's a quieter place during the day as they don't have a lot of the things that attract the young, jet ski rentals, etc., just a beach and pool.

At night, long after we leave, I've been told Reflections turns into a popular outdoor dance club for the locals.

On our last trip here, we met quite a few people during the day who were staying on the island, of course they could go anywhere, and they said this was their choice for quality of food, and value for a beach location. So far, I would agree! -))

The cost for 2 loungers, and an umbrella the last we visited a month ago was $18., the taxi ride from the port was about $10.!

I am enjoying your review so far. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Have a great rest of your trip.

Back on the ship at 2:15, after a great time at Reflections restaurant beach bar.

To give you an idea of how 'sercret' this place is, they have about 100 loungers, chairs, etc. on the beach, and less then 20 were being used.

The pool with the swim up bar, had 2 youngsters in it, once.

At night I've been told the place is very popular for those vacationing/living on the island. I can understand, it's not easy to find a decent place in Aruba to go to that you don't need to take out a second mortgage!-))

Now this isn't the Marriott, but it doesn't come with Marriott prices either. You get good value for your money about a mile from the port! If you need more info, google, trip advisor, or YouTube it.

Our meal was the same we had 3 weeks ago, I had the hamburger, and fries, while my wife had the beef fajitas, and both were excellent!

A shout out to our server Jenny, who again did a great job, and to Ike and his family/friends who sat next to us for some entertaining conversation!

Tonight around the ship,,,,

Showroom Flick 7:30/9:30pm

To those who haven't seen Flick yet, I think it's Carnivals best show!

Get there early, cause it is popular!

80's Rock N Roll Party 10:15pm lido deck 10

Dine in movies

Wonder 12:30pm

The Commuter 6:00pm

Havana Bar with Latin Sound 9:00-12:45pm

IMAX theater

National Parks Adventure 3D 4pm

Rampage 5:00pm

Dead pool 2 7:15/9:30pm

Thrill theater

Just the Rides 4#30/5:30pm

Cartoon Classics 6:00/6:30pm

Destination Adventure 7:30/8:00pm

Thrilogy are to be Scared 8:30/9:00/10:00/10:30pm

Casino $100,000 blackjack tournament 7:30-9:30pm

Comedy club 5:30/6:45/8:00/9:15/11:30pm